Hvizdo no longer coaching Weston boys basketball team

Mike Hvizdo watches warmups from the sidelines at an early-season Weston boys basketball game. Hvizdo has resigned as Weston head coach.

Hour file photo/John Nash

Mike Hvizdo watches warmups from the sidelines at an early-season Weston boys basketball game. Hvizdo has resigned as Weston head coach.

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Hour file photo/John Nash

Mike Hvizdo watches warmups from the sidelines at an early-season Weston boys basketball game. Hvizdo has resigned as Weston head coach.

Hour file photo/John Nash

Mike Hvizdo watches warmups from the sidelines at an early-season Weston boys basketball game. Hvizdo has resigned as Weston head coach.

Hvizdo no longer coaching Weston boys basketball team

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WESTON -- Mike Hvizdo, who led the Weston boys basketball team to the brink of the SWC playoffs this season, resigned his position recently, amidst a cloud of controversy and confusion.

According to a report in The Weston Forum, Hvizdo resigned on Thursday, Feb. 7, following a meeting between himself, Weston Superintendent of Schools Colleen Palmer, Weston High principal Lisa R. Wolak, athletic director Mark Berkowitz and the school department's human resources director, Lewis Brey.

Hvizdo told his team he was stepping down for "personal reasons," citing an incident that was not illegal, but had happened in his past.

Three days later, Wolak and Berkowitz sent a letter to parents of players explaining in more detail why Hvizdo was no longer coaching the Trojans.

In a nutshell, more than a decade ago, Hvizdo starred in a movie short titled "Forbidden Fruit." In spite of its somewhat racy moniker, the nine-minute comedy film was described by one Weston player's parent as "raunchy" but not pornographic. The movie did not contain any nudity, the parent added.

School administrators, however, felt it was questionable enough for Hvizdo to hand in his resignation.

"This film is vulgar, contains offensive sexual language and depicts sexual acts among multiple partners in which Mr. Hvizdo is a participant," the letter from Wolak and Berkowitz stated. "The existence of this film compromises Mr. Hvizdo's ability to continue to serve as a coach with Weston High School.

"We set high standards for our coaches as they are afforded privileged relationships with our student athletes," the letter continued. "Weston High School cannot waiver from these standards. Any time a coach/teacher/etc. is removed abruptly from the school environment, it creates a disruption. These actions are never taken lightly, and final decisions are consistently made with the best interests of our students in mind."

In a telephone interview with The Hour on Thursday morning, Hvizdo confirmed he was no longer coaching at Weston. He refused further comment, though, because he and his lawyer are working on an official statement, which they plan to release next week.

He would not say if further legal action was planned against the school, or other parties involved.

According to an administrative assistant in the Weston High School main office, Wolak was out of the country, and not available for comment.

"The determination at that meeting was that it was in the program's best interest that he resign," said Berkowitz. "Everybody came to that understanding. Since then, Mike has changed his thinking, but his resignation has already been accepted."

Hvizdo's resignation did not sit well with some parents in the basketball program, however.

A group of supporters demanded a meeting with the Weston administration, requesting answers as to why Hvizdo had to resign with just four games remaining in a very competitive season.

The Weston Forum reported that approximately 50 people attended a nearly three-hour meeting to discuss the situation and hear from the administration.

"They wanted to voice their concerns and they did," said Berkowitz. "It was a long meeting and we listened to all the concerns and angles and, honestly, all those things had already been discussed."

According to multiple sources, the Weston administration became aware of the movie when a disgruntled parent of a present-day Weston player e-mailed a link to the film to Wolak.

Berkowitz confirmed the WHS principal received the e-mail, but said he did not know who sent the link to the principal.

"I do not know for certain," he said.

The letter sent to the parents did touch upon the community becoming more aware of the movie.

"Unfortunately, material posted on the Internet takes on a life of its own, and there is no way to guarantee that this video will not be viewed by our entire community and most importantly, by our student athletes, now and into the future," the letter stated. "We know that the film has already been viewed by some in our community."

Berkowitz admitted it was tough to see one of his coaches go through a difficult situation and the decisions that came with it.

"Any time we lose a member of our family, it's tough," he said. "Whether it's a retirement, or a resignation or a firing, it's tough. It's certainly not something I had fun with. It was very difficult on our whole program. It's also tough on the kids and that, first and foremost, is trying."

Weston is now being coached on an interim basis by Jamaal Gibbs. Gibbs was the JV coach and a varsity assistant until Hvizdo stepped aside.

Weston finished the season with a 10-10 mark. It closed out the regular season by going 3-1 in its final four games and qualifying for the SWC tournament.

The team earned the No. 7 seed and will face No. 2 Bethel at 2 p.m. Saturday at Masuk High School in a league quarterfinal.

A graduate of Bunnell High School in Stratford, Hvizdo played prep school basketball at Milford Academy before joining the Sacred Heart University men's basketball program.

Hvizdo was an assistant coach at Wilton High School before Berkowitz hired him before the start of the 2011 season.

After being hired to lead the Trojans program, Hvizdo told The Hour it felt like he had a found a home.

"I can honestly say Weston is a place where I can see myself being for a long time and that's a good feeling," Hvizdo said in the Oct. 18, 2011, edition of The Hour. "I believe in Weston basketball. I know they can be successful and I have the tools to get the job done."

In his first season at the helm of the Trojans, Hvizdo went 13-10 overall and led Weston to the SWC quarterfinals and to the second round of the CIAC State Class M tournament.

The Trojans, who were forced to deal with some mid-season injuries, were 7-9 under Hvizdo this season, giving him a 20-19 career mark.

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